Evelyn Neujahr

After a courageous battle against cancer, Evelyn Ann Gaddis Neujahr died at her home in Longmont on May 16, 2013 with her family at her bedside. Evelyn was born on August 9, 1943 in Pratt, Kansas to Wade Graham Gaddis Jr. and Lorena Lucille Pearce Gaddis. She lived with her parents on farms outside Pratt and later Minden Mines, Missouri before moving to Boulder County in 1947 when her parents purchased the John Nelson farm four miles west of Longmont. Evelyn attended the old Ryssby School (later the Altona Consolidated School), a three room school in the western part of the county.In 1955 her parents moved to Longmont where Evelyn attended Columbine School and graduated in 1961 from Longmont High School. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado (at the time Colorado State College) in 1965 with a degree in Elementary Education and spent a year travelling in Europe and the U.S. as an academic tutor with "Up with People." Upon her return, Evelyn taught first grade in the Jefferson County Public Schools before moving back to Longmont in 1969. At that time she began a long and distinguished career in the St. Vrain Valley School District where she taught first grade at Central, Rocky Mountain, and Burlington Elementary Schools. Evelyn considered it a joy when former students would re-introduce themselves to her years later. She treasured her memories of teaching. She received her Masters Degree in Bilingual Education from the University of Colorado in 1988. After moving home to Longmont, Evelyn and a friend enrolled in a Longmont City Recreation class to learn how to play bridge. There Evelyn met Dick Edmund Neujahr, the love of her life who would become her devoted partner. They married August 21, 1970. Church, family, school, and friends were Evelyn's priorities, and she cherished each person who crossed her path. Her grandchildren, and great nieces and nephews' sporting events brought her cheers and smiles. She cherished her time with them. After retiring from SVVSD in 1998, Evelyn enjoyed traveling with trips to Europe, China, and throughout the United States. She also took great delight in annual post-Christmas trips to Mexico with her entire family. Evelyn was a member and past president of PEO, Chapter CJ; Sunshine Club; Delta Kappa Gamma, and Jabberwalkies (McIntosh Lake Walkers & Hikers). A lifelong member of LifeBridge Christian Church, Evelyn was a member of the Let's Get Biblical Sunday School Class and participated as a Pearl mentor. Evelyn is survived by her husband Dick Edmund Neujahr, her daughter Lisa (Jeff) King and son Dan (Taryn) Neujahr, and grandchildren Matthew, Danielle, and Evan King and AnnEstelle, Kellan, and Eamon Neujahr. Additionally she is survived by her brothers Larry (Barbara) Gaddis of Colorado Springs and John (Sally) Gaddis of Longmont and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. An open house celebration of life gathering will be held at 3 pm to 5 pm on Sunday, May 19th at LifeBridge Christian Church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pearl Group (Single Mothers' Ministry) of LifeBridge Christian Church or to the donor's charity of choice. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.